System and method for communication between a mobile data processing device and a stationary data processing device

ABSTRACT

A stationary data processing device communicates with a mobile data processing device, such as a client in the field of augmented-reality techniques in an automation system, or a production machine, or a machine tool or parts thereof. The stationary data processing device includes a server for communication with a browser on the mobile data processing device; an information broker for providing context-related information; legacy systems that contain and store information; and an information model that represents the information space and that allows navigation within the information and access to the information by the information broker independent of the legacy systems. The information broker utilizes the actual context, especially location, work situation, EA devices used and the information model.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] System and method for communication between a mobile data processing device and a fixed data processing device

[0002] The invention relates to a system for communication between a mobile data processing device, particularly a client in the area of augmented reality technologies in an automation system, and/or a production machine and/or machine tool or parts thereof, having a browser installed on the mobile data processing device for the purpose of communication with a fixed data processing device.

[0003] Such a system and method are used, by way of example, in the area of automation technology, in production machines and machine tools, in diagnosis/service support systems and for complex components, units and systems, such as vehicles and industrial machines and installations. One particularly advantageous application is in connection with AR (Augmented Reality), a novel form of human/technology interaction in which information is revealed to the user in his field of vision—for example using data goggles. The revelation is context-dependent, however, i.e. appropriate and derived from the object under consideration, e.g. a part. Thus, the actual field of vision of a fitter, for example, is augmented by information which is important to him, by revealing fitting instructions. In this case, augmented reality can replace the conventional fitting manual, among other things.

[0004] The provision of position-dependent information for users of portable minicomputers and electronic diaries (handheld devices and PDAs, Personal Digital Assistants) using a fixed data processing device is known from Pfeiffer et al., “A modular location-aware

[0005] service and application platform” Computers and Communications, 1999, Proc. IEEE International Symposium on Red Sea, Egypt, pages 137-148.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of specifying a system and a method for communication between a mobile data processing device and a fixed data processing device which allows effective wireless information management in situ, particularly in connection with AR applications.

[0007] This object is achieved by a system and a method having the features specified in claims 1 and 7.

[0008] Augmented reality is a novel form of human/technology interaction in which information is revealed to the user in his field of vision—for example using data goggles. The revelation is context-dependent, however, i.e. appropriate and derived from the object under consideration, e.g. a part. Thus, the actual field of vision of a fitter, for example, is augmented by information which is important to him, by revealing fitting instructions. In this case, augmented reality can replace the conventional fitting manual, among other things. The approach to a solution presented in this case relates to the use of augmented reality (AR) in fitting and in the area of service and maintenance.

[0009] The solution proposed comprises mobile systems which are connected to an IT infrastructure by means of wireless transmission technologies. They are connected to the IT infrastructure using customary communication components and web technologies. The mobile system has an “empty” Internet browser. If required, the browser reloads standard plugins (PDF, CAD, . . . ) and a special plugin for augmented reality. The Internet browser communicates with web servers which have further components connected downstream of them for procuring/providing information:

[0010] Information broker

[0011] The task of the information broker is to provide information suited to the situation. This involves the information broker using the current context (location, work situation, IO units used) and the information model. The information broker assists free navigation through the database.

[0012] Information model

[0013] The information model is a representation of the information space and allows the information broker to navigate within the information and to access the information independently of the downstream legacy systems.

[0014] Legacy systems (e.g. PMMS=Plant Maintenance Management System or PDM=Product Data Management) contain and store the information

[0015] IO units adaptation

[0016] The information for user interactions has a nonrepresentative structure and is mapped onto the specific hardware profile on the basis of the current context. This allows the interaction units to be easily changed (e.g. output using display or voice). The nonrepresentative information is described using XML.

[0017] Other advantageous refinements can be found in the subclaims and are explained in more detail in connection with the exemplary embodiments.

[0018] The invention is described and explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure, in which:

[0019]FIG. 1 shows a basic block diagram for the system structure of a system for web-based communication between a mobile data processing device and a fixed data processing device.

[0020]FIG. 1 shows a basic block diagram for the system structure of a system for web-based communication between a mobile data processing device 1 and a fixed data processing device 3. The mobile data processing device 1, also referred to below as the client, contains an Internet browser 2 for communication with a web server 8 on the fixed data processing device 3, which is also referred to below as the server. Wireless communication between the mobile data processing device 1 and the fixed data processing device 3 takes place via a wireless communication network location 14. The Internet browser 2 can reload “standard plugins” 10 and, if required, also a special AR plugin 9 for augmented reality. The mobile data processing device 1 is, by way of example, in the form of a mobile unit having a display 10 or, in other variants, is in the form of a headset with data goggles etc. Besides the web server 8, the fixed data processing device contains an information broker 5, an information model 4, legacy systems 7 and an adaptation part for input/output units 6. The fixed data processing device 3 is in the form of computer systems or single computers 11, 12, 13.

[0021] In the sphere of fitting, service and maintenance, the activities to be performed are becoming more and more complex and are therefore increasing the information requirement in situ. The information requirement in this sphere is today satisfied by a broad spectrum of solutions. At one end, there is pure paper documentation, and at the other end there are solutions using portable computers (wearable). However, the PC-based solutions are frequently special solutions which are not neatly linked to the IT infrastructure and therefore cause synchronization problems with the central systems. Another drawback of today's PC-based mobile solutions is in the adoption of the operating paradigms for the PC applications, which are not designed for handsfree use. In addition, the application and data are on the mobile unit and thus presuppose powerful systems. These solutions can be used appropriately only for a small class of application instances, since they are not easy to work with and are expensive and complex.

[0022] The approach to a solution presented in this case relates to the use of augmented reality (AR) in fitting and in the area of service and maintenance.

[0023] The solution proposed comprises mobile systems which are connected to an IT infrastructure by means of wireless transmission technologies. They are connected to the IT infrastructure using customary communication components and web technologies. The mobile system has an “empty” Internet browser. If required, the browser reloads standard plugins (PDF, CAD, . . . ) and a special plugin for augmented reality.

[0024] The Internet browser communicates with web servers which have further components connected downstream of them for procuring/providing information:

[0025] Information broker

[0026] The task of the information broker is to provide information suited to the situation. This involves the information broker using the current context (location, work situation, IO units used) and the information model. The information broker assists free navigation through the database.

[0027] Information model

[0028] The information model is a representation of the information space and allows the information broker to navigate within the information and to access the information independently of the downstream legacy systems.

[0029] Legacy systems

[0030] Legacy systems (e.g. PMMS, PDM) contain and store the information.

[0031] IO units adaptation

[0032] The information for user interactions has a nonrepresentative structure and is mapped onto the specific hardware profile on the basis of the current context. This allows the interaction units to be easily changed (e.g. output using display or voice).

[0033] The nonrepresentative information is described using XML¹.

[0034] AR Plugin

[0035] The AR plugin is responsible for presenting the augmented information and in this case communicates with (likewise reloadable) components which are required for controlling the presentation (e.g. voice interaction).

[0036] Information Model

[0037] The information model is a representation of the information space. The model is enhanced by supplementary information (metainformation) (e.g. content, title, headwords). This also allows search mechanisms to be integrated into the system. The actual documents remain in the legacy systems (e.g. databases, file systems, PDM² systems, etc.). That is to say no multiple data management is operated.

[0038] Mobile Unit

[0039] The mobile terminal essentially requires an Internet browser. Depending on the desired functionality in the AR area, it is therefore possible to use systems ranging from small palmsize PCs to full portable PCs. The necessary peripheral equipment of the mobile units is also geared to the scope of the augmentation. Typical peripheral units are:

[0040] Headset

[0041] for voice interaction

[0042] Data goggles

[0043] for directly revealing the information in the user's field of vision

[0044] Video camera

[0045] for tracking, documentation, etc.

[0046] Tracking Systems

[0047] for identifying the location, viewing direction, etc.

[0048] Wireless Communication

[0049] Communication between the Internet browser and the web server takes place wirelessly using different technologies respectively matched to the area of use. Examples are:

[0050] Bluetooth for the local area

[0051] Wireless LANs

[0052] GSM/GPRS/UMTS for the remote area

[0053] The scope of information transmitted is matched to the available bandwidth by the AR system.

[0054] Advantages of the Solution:

[0055] The combination of web technologies, augmented reality functions and information systems arises a relatively high-quality DP system having a series of advantages.

[0056] Thin Client approach

[0057] Very good scalability in the area of the mobile terminal, since the low-end area essentially requires a unit with an Internet browser. That is to say PC-based systems cannot be used either. (Weight, working and cost advantages).

[0058] Incorporation in IT landscape

[0059] The approach proposed is extremely suitable for incorporation in existing and future IT landscapes (trend in the direction of the web). The user can thus achieve a high level of data continuity without complex synchronization operations.

[0060] Automatic configuration

[0061] Implementation of the AR functionality of a plugin allows all of the application software to be automatically reloaded using customary web mechanisms.

[0062] Mobility

[0063] The lightweight, portable terminals and the radio

[0064]  link to the IT infrastructure result in a high level of mobility for the user.

[0065] Handsfree

[0066] The supported periphery (headset, data goggles, etc.) allows handsfree working in the areas of fitting, service and maintenance.

[0067] Online

[0068] The possible online link to the IT infrastructure for the user allows direct updating of data both on the mobile system and in the backend system in the background.

[0069] Use of standards

[0070] The use of web standards allows multiple participation in further developments in this area. These are firstly new protocols/new services in the web sphere, and secondly also the further developments in mobile terminals which allow web access. 

1. A system for communication between a mobile data processing device (1), and a fixed data processing device (3), where the fixed data processing device (3) features the following components: a server (8) for communication with the mobile data processing device (1), an information broker (5) for providing information to suit the situation, where the information broker (5) uses the current context, particularly location, work situation, input and output units (6) used and an information model (4), the information model (4) in question as a representation of the information space and to ensure navigation within the information and access to the information independently of downstream legacy systems for the information broker (5), and legacy systems (7) which contain and store information, and where the mobile data processing device (1) features a browser (2) for the purpose of communication with the fixed data processing device (3), characterized in that the mobile data processing device (1) is provided as a client for using augmented reality technologies in an automation system and/or in a production machine and/or machine tool and/or parts thereof.
 2. The system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the fixed data processing device (3) also features the following component (6): adaptation of the input and output units, where a nonrepresentative structure for information for user interaction is provided and the [illegible] user interactions are provided for  current-context-dependent mapping onto the specific hardware profile.
 3. The system as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that provision is made for nonrepresentative information to be described using XML.
 4. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the client features a component augmented reality plugin (9) for presenting the augmented information and is provided for communication with reloadable components required for controlling the presentation using voice interactions.
 5. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the information model (4) is an information space representation enhanced by supplementary information.
 6. The system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that communication between the browser (2) and the server (8) takes place wirelessly using different technologies respectively matched to the area of use, particularly using Bluetooth for the local area wireless LANs GSM and/or GPRS and/or UMTS for the remote area,  where the scope of the information transmitted is provided for the augmented reality system's matching to the available bandwidth.
 7. A method for communication between a mobile data processing device (1) and a fixed data processing device (3), in which the fixed data processing device (3) uses a server (8) to communicate with the mobile data processing device (1), uses an information broker (5) to provide information suited to the situation, where the information broker (5) uses the current context, particularly location, work situation, input and output units used and an information model (4), uses the information model (4) to represent the information space and to ensure navigation within the information and access to the information independently of downstream legacy systems for the information broker (5), legacy systems (7) contain and store the information, and in which the mobile data processing device (1) uses a browser (2) to communicate with the fixed data processing device, characterized in that the mobile data processing device (1), as the client, uses augmented reality technologies in an automation system and/or a production machine and/or machine tools and/or parts thereof.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the fixed data processing device (3) also features the following component (6): adaptation of input and output units, where information for user interactions has a nonrepresent-ative structure and is mapped onto the specific hardware profile on the basis of the current context.
 9. The method as claimed in either of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the nonrepresentative information is described using XML.
 10. The method as claimed in one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the client features a component augmented reality plugin (9) which is responsible for presenting the augmented information and in this context communicates with reloadable components which are required for controlling the presentation using voice interactions.
 11. The method as claimed in one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the information model (4) is a representation of the information space, with the information model (4) being enhanced by supplementary information.
 12. The method as claimed in one of claims 7 to 11, in that communication between the characterized browser (2) and the server (8) takes place wirelessly using different technologies respectively matched to the area of use, particularly using Bluetooth for the local area wireless LANs GSM/GPRS/UMTS for the remote area, where the scope of the information transmitted is matched to the available bandwidth by the augmented reality system. 